Method and apparatus for communicating emergency information

ABSTRACT

A method that incorporates teachings of the subject disclosure may include, for example transmitting, by a system comprising a processor, via a first emergency media channel a first video stream comprising first evacuation routing information for a first evacuation group responsive to receiving a notification of an emergency event, instructing, by the system, a first media processor device to select the first emergency media channel while disabling selection of other media channels according to the first evacuation routing information, where the content of the emergency media channel is presented at a display device by way of the first media processor device, and enabling, by the system, the first media processor device to select the other media channels responsive to receiving user input acknowledging the emergency media channel. Other embodiments are disclosed.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The subject disclosure relates to a method and apparatus forcommunicating emergency information.

BACKGROUND

Media content is typically experienced by consumers via devices such ascomputers, televisions, radios, and mobile electronics. Media content isfrequently delivered by service providers, who send the content, such astelevision, radio, and video programming, to consumers for enjoyment attheir physical locations. Modern communication networks benefit frominterconnectivity between consumers and various communication devices.As network capabilities expand, these interconnections provide newopportunities to enhance the ability for consumers to enjoy mediacontent by experiencing a variety of content over multiple devices.Intelligent devices offer new means for the enjoyment of content in waysthat anticipate consumer desires, including the personalization of mediacontent presentation. Emergency warning messages are often attached tobroadcasted media content. As modern communication networks expandconsumer media choices, networking capabilities provide uniqueopportunities for providing emergency information.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings, which are notnecessarily drawn to scale, and wherein:

FIG. 1 depicts illustrative embodiments systems that can be utilized forproviding emergency information in a networked media content system;

FIG. 2 depicts illustrative embodiments systems that can be utilized forproviding emergency information in a networked telecommunicationssystem;

FIG. 3 depicts an illustrative embodiment of a method operating inportions of the system described in FIGS. 1-2 and 4-5;

FIGS. 4-5 depict illustrative embodiments of communication systems thatprovide emergency information;

FIG. 6 depicts an illustrative embodiment of a web portal forinteracting with the communication systems of FIGS. 1-2 and 4-5;

FIG. 7 depicts an illustrative embodiment of a communication device; and

FIG. 8 is a diagrammatic representation of a machine in the form of acomputer system within which a set of instructions, when executed, maycause the machine to perform any one or more of the methods describedherein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The subject disclosure describes, among other things, illustrativeembodiments for transmitting a video stream over an emergency mediachannel to provide evacuation routing information associated with ageographic region responsive to receiving an emergency notification,instructing a media processor device to select the emergency mediachannel while disabling other media channels. Other embodiments areincluded in the subject disclosure.

One embodiment of the subject disclosure includes a memory storingcomputer instructions and a processor coupled to the memory. Theprocessor can perform operations responsive to executing the computerinstructions including receiving first location information for a firstmedia processor device. The processor can also perform operations fortransmitting the first location information to an emergency responseservice for generating first evacuation routing information according tothe first location information. The processor can further performoperations for receiving a notification of an emergency event from theemergency response service. The notification can include the firstevacuation routing information associated with the first media processordevice. The processor can perform operations for transmitting via afirst emergency media channel a first video stream comprising the firstevacuation routing information responsive to receiving the notification.The processor can further perform operations for instructing the firstmedia processor device to select the first emergency media channel whiledisabling selection of other media channels according to the firstevacuation routing information. The first media processor device canpresent content of the emergency media channel at a display device. Theprocessor can further perform operations for receiving an acknowledgingindicator from the first media processor device and, in turn,instructing the first media processor device to enable selection of theother media channels responsive to receiving the acknowledgingindicator.

One embodiment of the subject disclosure includes a computer-readablestorage medium including computer instructions, which, responsive tobeing executed by a processor, can cause the processor to performoperations including receiving a selection a first media channel ofcommunication network of a service provider. The computer instructionscan further include presenting media content that is received from themedia channel at a display device. The computer instructions can furtherinclude switching to a first emergency media channel comprising a firstvideo stream of first evacuation routing information responsive to acommand received from an emergency alert service. The computerinstructions can, in turn, include presenting the first evacuationrouting information from the first emergency channel at the displaydevice.

One embodiment of the subject disclosure includes a method includingtransmitting, by a system comprising a processor, via a first emergencymedia channel a first video stream comprising first evacuation routinginformation for a first evacuation group responsive to receiving anotification of an emergency event. The method can also includeinstructing, by the system, a first media processor device to select thefirst emergency media channel while disabling selection of other mediachannels according to the first evacuation routing information. Thecontent of the emergency media channel can be presented at a displaydevice by way of the first media processor device. The method canfurther include enabling, by the system, the first media processordevice to select the other media channels responsive to receiving a userinput acknowledging the emergency media channel.

FIG. 1 depicts an illustrative embodiment of a system 100 that can beutilized for providing emergency information in a networked mediacontent system. The system 100 can include an emergency alertingservice, or EA, server 130 that can perform several functions forproviding emergency information to subscribers of a media contentprovider. In one embodiment, the EA server 130 can obtain informationregarding the locations of subscriber premises 170A-G, contactinformation, and/or network addressing information for subscriber mediaprocessor devices 106A-G.

The EA server 130 can provide the subscriber information to an emergencyresponse service, such as a local police department, fire department,emergency response coordinator, homeland security coordinator, and/oremergency dispatch. The emergency response service (ERS) can utilize anERS server 120 to facilitate processing of emergency notifications andto maintain evacuation plans. In one embodiment, an ERS server 120 canuse subscriber information in developing evacuation routings, evacuationgroups, emergency contact plans, and/or emergency video messages. In oneembodiment, the emergency response service can create an evacuation planfor every residence in a geographic area. For example, a county can belocated in a regional geographic area. The emergency response servicecan subdivide the county into a series sub-regions, neighborhoods,and/or sections. In various embodiments, the divisions and sub-divisionsof the geographic region can be based on factors such as proximity tomajor roads, divisions in electrical or communications grids, proximityto evacuation centers or hospitals, proximity to major businesses orschools, and/or population density. In one embodiment, the emergencyresponse service can develop evacuation plans, in advance, forforeseeable emergency events, such as natural or weather related events,terrorism events, civil unrest, and/or hazardous material events. Inanother embodiment, the emergency response service can create evacuationgroups for residences and businesses in each division or subdivision ofthe geographic regions. For example, all the residents in a neighborhoodcan be placed into an evacuation group 160, 165 that is assigned anevacuation location, such as school building or civic center, and anevacuation routing to travel from the neighborhood to the evacuationlocation in the event of an emergency event. The emergency responseservice can generate many evacuation plans and evacuation groups, andvariations on these plans and groups, in advance of emergencies so that,during the actual emergency event, the resources of the organization canbe focused on disseminating accurate communications and coordination ofservices.

In one embodiment, the ERS server 120 can obtain subscriber informationfrom the EA server 130. In one embodiment, a provisioning module at theEA server 130 can provide subscriber information to the ERS server 120.For example, the EA server 130 can periodically report subscriberinformation to the emergency response service 120. Alternatively, the EAserver 130 can update subscriber information anytime a subscriber isadded, deleted, or changes address or contact information. In oneembodiment, subscribers can opt in or opt out of the emergency alertservice. In one embodiment, subscribers can provide location and contactinformation for use by the EA server 130 and the ERS server 120 ratherthan allowing the system 100 to use information from the subscribermanagement server 140. For example, a subscriber could have asubscription to media services, such as television and movie channels,from a first service provider but one or more other subscriptions fortelephone service, internet service, and/or cellular phone service withother providers. If the subscriber wanted to fully participate in theemergency alert service with the first provider, then the subscribercould supply telephone, cellular, and/or internet contact information tothe first provider. In one embodiment, a subscriber can log onto awebsite of the provider through a portal to provide this information.

In one embodiment, the ERS server 120 can correlate the obtainedsubscriber information to evacuation planning and groups. For example,each premises and/or business 170A-C in a first evacuation group 160 canbe included in an evacuation database 122 maintained by the ERS server120. The evacuation database 120 can further include records for eachpremises 170A-G in the geographic region, sub-region, and/or evacuationgroup. The premises records can include contact information associatedwith any of premises 170A-G. For example, first premises 170A of a firstevacuation group 160 can be associated with a subscriber to a serviceprovider that is operating the internet protocol television network 150.Identification information associated with a media processor device 106Aand/or a premises gateway, not shown, can be included as records in thedatabase 122. The identification information can take the form of aninternet address, a URL address, a MAC address, or local router or hubinformation. The identification information can be encoded such that theevacuation database 122 cannot contact the premises equipment directlybut has to rely on the resources of the EA server for passinginformation to the equipment 106A. Additional information, such astelephone numbers, cellphone numbers, electronic mail addresses, and/orsocial media contact information can be included in the evacuationdatabase. In another embodiment, the evacuation database 122 can bemaintained at the EA server 130.

The media server 135 can provide media content to media processordevices 106A-G at subscriber premises 170A-G. The media processors106A-G can present received media content at display devices 106A-G. Themedia server 135 can be a portion of a subscription content service,such as cable, satellite, or DSL based media content delivery system.The media server 135 provide any type of content, such as but notlimited to broadcast television, cable or premium television, video ondemand, or pay-per-per view television. The media server 135 can deliverthe media content to the media processor devices 106A-G by means ofinternet protocol television network 150. In other embodiments, themedia server 135 can deliver media content by a private communicationnetwork, a public communication network, such as the World Wide Web. Inother embodiments, the media server 135 can deliver media content overany type of transport media, such as a satellite link, a cable line,and/or a fiber optic network.

The subscriber management server 140 can manage subscriber accounts bymaintaining information regarding subscriber service configurations,premises locations, payment histories, and media processor device 106A-Gand gateway devices at each location. The subscriber management server140 can maintain information on additional services provided tosubscribers, such as telephone, internet access, security services,and/or cellular telephone services. The media content can be received atthe media processor devices 106A-D by a gateway device at each location.In one embodiment, each gateway device can function as an interfacebetween the internet protocol television network 150 and one or moremedia processor devices 106A-G each located at, for example, premises170A-G of a subscriber to the media service provider. In one embodiment,each gateway device at each premises 170A-G can provide internetworkingfunctions, such as protocol translation, impedance matching, data rateconversion, and/or fault isolation necessary for exchanging data betweenthe internet protocol television network 150 and each media processordevice 106A-G. Each subscriber premises 170A-G can have one or moredisplay devices 106A-G for presenting the media content to thesubscriber or to other viewers.

Each media processor device 106A-G can be utilized at the viewingpremises to present the media content at each display device 106A-G. Themedia processor device 106A-G can be, for example, a set-top box, acomputer device, or a mobile device. The media processor device 106A-Gand the display device 106A-G can be integrated into a single device,such as a television with a built in set-top box or a mobile device withintegrated media processor functionality. Each media processor device106A-G can receive the media content as encoded data packet streams andcan decode the received data streams into decoded stream that can bedelivered to the display device 106A-G for presentation. In otherembodiments, the media processor device 106A-G can further performfunctions of providing an electronic programming guide for selection ofprogramming from the media server 135, authentication of the mediaprocessor device 106A-G for reception of media content, storage andupdating of user preferences, and/or parental control of media content.The media processor device 106A-G can be controlled utilizing a remotecontroller device. In one embodiment, the media processor device 106A-Gcan cause the received media content to be presented at a display device106A-G that is visible to the viewing area at the subscriber's premises170A-G.

In one embodiment, during an emergency event, the ERS server 120 canreceive an emergency notification. The emergency notification can begenerated locally or can be generated by a remote organization. Forexample, a local civil defense organization or fire department couldgenerate an emergency notification based on local conditions.Alternatively, the National Weather Service or the Department ofHomeland Security can issue a notification or warning of an emergency.The emergency notification can be received over a communications link ornetwork, such as an internet protocol network, a telephone network, or acellular network. In one embodiment, the emergency notification includesa geographic region for the emergency. For example, a warning of animminent flash flood might seriously impact several counties near ariver while counties on higher ground would be minimally affected. Inone embodiment, the ERS server 120 can analyze the received emergencynotification to determine the type of event, such as a flood, fire,storm, or terrorist attack, and the impacted geographic region. Forexample, the ERS server 120 can search the evacuation database 122 foremergency type and/or geographic region information that matches theincoming emergency notification.

In one embodiment, if the ERS server 120 determines that the emergencytype and/or region matches an evacuation plan in the evacuation database122, then the ERS server 120 can access the evacuation plan and groupdata. In one embodiment, the evacuation database can have severaldifferent plans for each geographic area depending on the type ofemergency or, further, depending on a severity of an emergency of agiven type. For example, an emergency involving a tornado could includea further classification of a warning or watch. The evacuation database122 could include different evacuation plans for these twoclassifications. In another embodiment, the evacuation database 122 caninclude different evacuation plans for different sub-regions orsubdivisions within the affected geographic regions. For example, anemergency notification of a wildfire near a geographic region couldimplicate a first sub-region and a second sub-region. In the firstsub-region, a first evacuation plan can call for an immediate movementof people according to a first evacuation group 160 to a safe area neara shopping center. At the same time, a second evacuation plan can callfor persons in the second region to wait for further instructions fromthe fire department before leaving their homes as part of a secondevacuation group 165. Furthermore, the geographic region for theemergency could include another sub-region for which no evacuation planis given. For example, premises 170D could be inside of the geographicregion but outside of the first evacuation group 160 and the secondevacuation group 165.

In one embodiment, the ERS server 120 can generate emergencynotifications, evacuation routing messages, and/or emergency videostreams based on the evacuation database 122. In one example, the ERSserver 120 can generate messages warning geographic regions of anemergency situation. In one embodiment, the ERS server 120 can generateevacuation routing messages with specific instructions based on theevacuation plans and groups of the database 122. In one embodiment, theERS server 120 can generate emergency video streams based on theevacuation routing information or based upon emergency notificationinformation. For example, the ERS server 120 can generate a video orstill image with evacuation routing information, such as a graphicalimage showing an affected area, a routing to an evacuation location,and/or physical details of the evacuation location. The video loop canalso show textual information detailing the evacuation routing. In oneembodiment, the ERS server 120 can access a set of pre-prepared videostreams from the evacuation database 122. In one embodiment, the ERSserver 120 can transmit the emergency notifications, evacuation routingmessages, and/or emergency video streams to the EA server 130. In oneembodiment, the EA server 130 can receive the emergency notificationsand/or evacuation routing messages and can generated emergency videostreams based on this information. In another embodiment, the emergencyvideo streams are generated at the ERS server 120 and passed to the EAserver 130 for distribution. In another embodiment, some emergency videostreams are generated at both the ERS server 120 and the EA server 130.

In one embodiment, the EA server 130 can distribute the emergency videostreams to subscriber devices over the internet protocol televisionnetwork 150. In one embodiment, each emergency video stream includes anidentification of subscriber devices that are targeted to receive thevideo stream. The identification information can take the form of aninternet address, a URL address, a MAC address, or local router or hubinformation. In one embodiment, the identification information can beencoded into the emergency video stream or can be associated with thestream using a special header or file. In one embodiment, the EA server130 can deliver the emergency video stream using one or more emergencychannels of the internet protocol television network 150. For example,several emergency channels can be set aside in each geographic regionfor broadcasting emergency video streams targeted to local subscribers.During normal conditions, the emergency channels can carry noinformation or can carry mere labeling information that notifies theelectronic programing guide and the viewer of the potential use for eachchannel. During an emergency, the EA server 130 places an emergencyvideo stream, targeted to a particular evacuation group 160, on one ormore of the emergency channels. The EA server 130 then causes theinternet protocol television network 150 to route the emergency channelto a communication switch for the evacuation group. For example, the EAserver 130 can determine that an emergency video stream is targeted to afirst evacuation group 160 and can cause an emergency channel to berouted to a communications switch that feeds a service area thatincludes the first evacuation group 160.

Under non-emergency conditions, it is likely that none of the subscribermedia processor devices 106A-C in the first evacuation group 160 istuned to the emergency channel. Therefore, the emergency channel willtypically not be subject to any local multicasting at the communicationswitch prior to an action by the EA server 130. In one embodiment, theEA server 130 can cause a multicast group to be created at for theemergency channel at the communications switch. In one embodiment, theemergency channel is sent to every subscriber media processor device106A-C in the first evacuation group 160. In one embodiment, the EAserver 130 causes every subscriber media processor device 106A-C toselect the emergency channel for presentation at its local displaydevice 106A-C. In one embodiment, the EA server 130 can cause acommunication switch to signal the media processor device 106A to selecta specific emergency channel. In another embodiment, the EA server 130can signal the media processor device 106A to switch to a defaultchannel, where the switch insures that the emergency channel is sent tothis channel for reception and decoding at the media processor device106A. In another embodiment, the EA server 130 signals the subscribermedia processor device 106A to wake for power on or to wake from a sleepmode before selecting the emergency channel. As a result, eachsubscriber media processor device 106A-C in the first evacuation group160 selects the emergency channel and presents this channel at itsdisplay device 106A-C. In another embodiment, the media processordevices 106A-C can cause the display devices 106A-C to power up, wherethis capability is supported at the media processor devices 106A-C. Inone embodiment, the EA server 130 delivers the emergency channel throughthe media server 135.

In one embodiment, the EA server 130 can determine that other subscribermedia processor devices 170D-G are not in the targeted first evacuationgroup 160. In one embodiment, where a subscriber media processor device170D is not targeted, then this device continues to receive its currentmedia channel via the media server 135. In one embodiment, an emergencychannel can be delivered that includes evacuation routing informationthat is intended to cause the viewer to respond by evacuation from thepremises location as directed in the information. In another embodiment,the emergency channel can include an emergency notification that isintended to inform the viewer at the premises but not necessarily elicitan evacuation.

In one embodiment, the EA server 130 can cause a subscriber mediaprocessor device 106A to be locked onto the emergency channel. Forexample, the EA server 160 can disable the channel changing functions ofthe media processor device 106A until the viewer performs a requiredaction. In another embodiment, the media processor device 106A cancontinue to present the emergency channel at the display device 106Auntil the EA server 130 unlocks the media processor device 106A. Forexample, the channel selection functions of the media processor device106A can be disabled until a viewer has entered a code into the device106A or otherwise acknowledged that the viewer has seen and understoodthe contents of the evacuation message. In another example, channelswitching at the media processor device 106A can be disabled until theEA server 130 signals to the media processor device 106A that it ispermitted to allow a change of channels. For example, channel changescan be disabled until the EA server 130 receives instructions from theERS server 120 to resume normal operations.

FIG. 2 depicts another illustrative embodiment of a system 200 that canbe utilized for providing emergency information in a networkedtelecommunications system. In one embodiment, subscriber computerdevices 261 and 262 can be connected to the IMS network 250 at, forexample, first subscriber premises 170A and 170B. The subscribercomputer devices 261 and 262 can communicate through the IMS network 250using, for example, internet protocol, to access other devices over theworld-wide web and to exchange electronic mail messages (e-mail). In oneembodiment, telephone devices 263 and 264, can be connected to the IMSnetwork 250 at second subscriber premises 170C and 170D. In anotherembodiment, a mobile communication device 265 can be connected to theIMS network through a mobility network 220.

In one embodiment, the EA server 130 can be coupled to an internetprotocol multimedia subsystem (IMS) network 250. In one embodiment, theEA server 130 can obtain contact information for subscriber devices261-265 from the media server 135 and/or the subscriber managementserver 140. The subscriber device 261-265 contact information can beprovided to the ERS server 120 for use in generating evacuation plansand evacuation groups. The ERS server 120 can include the device contactinformation in the evacuation database 122. In one embodiment, the ERSserver can generate emergency notification and evacuation routingmessages based upon emergency plans and/or evacuation routings. Theemergency notification and evacuation routing messages can be preparedin advance of an emergency situation, during the emergency situation,and/or prepared in advance but modified to particular circumstances ofthe emergency situation. The ERS server 120 can transmit the emergencynotification and evacuation routing messages to the EA server 130 fordistribution during an emergency situation. In one embodiment, the EAserver can transmit electronic mail messages to internet mail services.These electronic mail messages can be retrieved and presented atsubscriber computer devices 261 and 262 and/or cellular devices 265. Forexample, the ERS server 120 can determine from an emergency notificationthat an evacuation message must be sent to a first evacuation group 160that includes several subscriber premises 170A-C. The ERS server 120 canretrieve contact information for the first evacuation group 160including electronic messaging (email) addresses for subscribers at thefirst evacuation group 1 160.

In one embodiment, the EA server 120 can transmit electronic textmessages (SMS) to mobile communication devices 265. These electronicmail messages can be received and presented at subscriber mobilecommunication devices 265. For example, the ERS server 120 can determinefrom an emergency notification that an evacuation message must be sentto a first evacuation group 160 that includes several subscriberpremises 170A-C. In another embodiment, the EA server 120 can transmitelectronic text messages to second mobile computing devices 266, such assmart pad devices, over a Wi-Fi communication link. For example, thetext messages can be sent to the second mobile computing device 266 overWi-Fi links that are controlled and operated by gateway devices. The ERSserver 120 can retrieve contact information for the first evacuationgroup including telephone numbers and/or internet protocol addresses formobile communication devices 265. In one embodiment, the EA server 130can send an electronic text message to mobile communication devices 265based on premises locations associated with the mobile communicationdevices. For example, where a subscriber resides at premises 170D, amobile communication device 265 associated with the subscriber wouldreceive a text message associated with the emergency situation occurringat the premises 170D. In another embodiment, a location can bedetermined for the mobile communication device 265, and this locationcan be used by the ERS server 120 and/or the EA server 130 to determinethe content of the text message. For example, the mobile communicationdevice 265 could be presently located within a geographic area thatincludes the first evacuation group 160. The EA server 130 can reportthis location for the mobile communication device 265 to the ERS server120. The ERS server 120 can add the mobile communication device 265 to alisting of subscriber devices in the first evacuation group 160 thatmust be notified in the emergency situation. The EA server 130 can thensend a text message to the mobile communication device 265 including thefirst evacuation group information. In another embodiment, the EA server130 can detect that the mobile communication device 265 is in a locationthat differs from its subscriber premises 170D and can assign a textmessage to the mobile communication device 265 according to the actuallocation of the device 265. In another embodiment, the mobilecommunication device 265 can receive notifications based on both thelocation of the subscriber premises 170D and the location of the device265. In one embodiment, the location of the mobile communication device265 can be determined using global positioning system (GPS) detection inthe device 265. In another embodiment, the position can be derived bydetermining positions of one or more positions of cellular towers of themobility network 220 that are presently communicating with the devicemobile communication device 265.

FIG. 3 depicts an illustrative embodiment of a method operating inportions of the systems and devices described in FIGS. 1-5. Method 300can begin with step 304, in which an emergency alert server 130 canreceive location information for media processor devices 106A-G andmobile communication devices 265. In one embodiment, the emergency alertserver 130 can receive physical location information for media processordevices 106A-G from a subscription management server 140. In anotherembodiment, the emergency alert server 130 can received contactinformation, such as mobile communication device 265 telephone numbers,electronic messaging (email) addresses, and/or URL addresses for mediaprocessor devices 265 from the subscription management server 140. Inone embodiment, a subscriber can supply any portion of this informationto the emergency alert server 130 through a portal interface.

In step 308, the emergency alert server 130 can receive authorizationinformation an emergency response service 120. In one embodiment, toprevent unauthorized access, the emergency alert server 130 can requirean authorization from the emergency response service server 120 beforeproviding subscriber location and contact information. For example, theemergency response service server 120 can be provided with a usernameand password and/or a digital signing key. If the authorization isverified, in step 312, then in step 316, the emergency alert server 130can transmit the location information and contract information to theemergency response service server 120. For example, the emergency alertserver 130 can periodically report subscriber information to theemergency response service server 120. Alternatively, the emergencyalert server 130 can update subscriber information anytime a subscriberis added, deleted, or changes address or contact information. In oneembodiment, subscribers can opt in or opt out of the emergency alertservice. In one embodiment, subscribers can provide location and contactinformation for use by the emergency alert server 130 rather thanallowing the system 100 to use information from the subscribermanagement server 140. For example, a subscriber could have asubscription to media services, such as television and movie channels,from a first service provider but one or more other subscriptions fortelephone service, internet service, and/or cellular phone service withother providers. If the subscriber wanted to fully participate in theemergency alert service with the first provider, then the subscribercould supply telephone, cellular, and/or internet contact information tothe first provider. In one embodiment, a subscriber can log onto awebsite of the provider through a portal to provide this information.

If an emergency event notification is received in step 320, then in step324, the emergency alert server 130 can transmit, via an emergencychannel, a video stream including evacuation routing information for themedia processor devices 106.

In step 328, the emergency alert server 328 can cause the mediaprocessor devices 106A-G to select an emergency channel while disablingselection of other media channels according to the evacuationinformation. In one embodiment, the emergency alert server 130 candistribute the emergency video streams to subscriber devices over theinternet protocol television network 150. In one embodiment, eachemergency video stream includes an identification of subscriber devicesthat are targeted to receive the video stream. The identificationinformation can take the form of an internet address, a URL address, aMAC address, or local router or hub information. In one embodiment, theidentification information can be encoded into the emergency videostream or can be associated with the stream using a special header orfile. In one embodiment, the emergency alert server 130 can deliver theemergency video stream using one or more emergency channels of theinternet protocol television network 150. The emergency alert server 130can place an emergency video stream, targeted to a particular evacuationgroup 160, on one or more of the emergency channels. The emergency alertserver 130 can cause the internet protocol television network 150 toroute the emergency channel to a communication switch for the evacuationgroup. For example, the emergency alert server 130 can determine that anemergency video stream is targeted to a first evacuation group 160 andcan cause an emergency channel to be routed to a communications switchthat feeds a service area that includes the first evacuation group 160.

In one embodiment, the emergency alert server 130 can cause acommunication switch to signal the media processor device 106A to selecta specific emergency channel. In another embodiment, the emergency alertserver 130 can signal a media processor device 106A to switch to adefault channel, where the switch insures that the emergency channel issent to this channel for reception and decoding at the media processordevice 106A. As a result, the subscriber media processor device 106A inthe evacuation group 160 selects the emergency channel and presents thischannel at its display device 108A. In another embodiment, the emergencyalert server 130 causes the media processor device 106A to disablechannel switching. In effect, user of the media processor device 106A isforced to watch the emergency channel until the emergency alert server130 re-enables channel switching,

In one embodiment, if a user acknowledgement is received from the mediaprocessor device 106 in step 332, then the emergency alert server 130can cause the media processor device 106 to enable selection of othermedia channels. For example, the channel selection functions of themedia processor device 106A can be disabled until a viewer has entered acode into the device 106A or otherwise acknowledged that the viewer hasseen and understood the contents of the evacuation message. In anotherembodiment, channel switching at the media processor device 106A can bedisabled until the EA server 130 signals to the media processor device106A that it is permitted to allow a change of channels. For example,channel changes can be disabled until the EA server 130 receivesinstructions from the ERS server 120 to resume normal operations.

Alternatively, when an emergency event notification is received in step320, then, in step 340, the emergency alert server 130 can transmitelectronic text notification to the mobile communication device 265 instep 340 and/or can transmit an email notification to the subscriber instep 344. In one embodiment, the emergency alert server 130 can send anelectronic text message to a mobile communication device 265 based onpremises locations associated with the mobile communication devices. Forexample, a mobile communication device 265 associated with a subscribercan receive a text message associated with the emergency event occurringat a premises 170D of the subscriber. In another embodiment, a locationcan be determined for the mobile communication device 265, and thislocation can be used by the emergency response service server 120 and/orthe emergency alert server 130 to determine the content of the textmessage.

Upon reviewing the aforementioned embodiments, it would be evident to anartisan with ordinary skill in the art that said embodiments can bemodified, reduced, or enhanced without departing from the scope andspirit of the claims described below. For example, in one embodiment,the emergency alert server 130 can transmit multiple emergency channelsso that different emergency evacuation groups receive differentchannels. In one embodiment, the same emergency routing information canbe transmitted on different emergency media channels to provideredundancy.

In one embodiment, the subscriber acknowledgement of the emergency mediachannel causes an acknowledgement indicator to be transmitted to fromthe media processor device 106A to the emergency alert server 130. Thisindicator can further be forwarded to the emergency response serviceserver 120. In a further embodiment, if the subscriber fails toacknowledge the emergency media channel, the emergency alert server 130and/or the emergency response service server 120 cause a notice to besent to one or more emergency response services personnel to request afollow-up action with the subscriber. For example, a failure toacknowledge can trigger a follow-up telephone call, text, or electronicmessage to be sent to the subscriber.

In another embodiment, emergency alert server 130 notification actionscan be combined. For example, an emergency event notice can cause theemergency alert server 130 to transmit an email message to thesubscriber along with forcing the subscriber's media processor device106A to present an evacuation plan on an emergency media channel. Inanother embodiment, subscribers who are in an area affected by theemergency event, but not requiring evacuation, can receive email noticesor text messages informing them of their non-evacuation status. Thesemessages can further provide information on evacuation areas to assistthe subscriber in avoiding interference with evacuation plans.

In another embodiment, the emergency media channel is transmittedthrough the internet protocol television network by multicasting to anevacuation routing group. In another embodiment, the emergency mediachannel can be transmitted to individual media processor devices 106A byunicasting. In one embodiment, following an acknowledgement or othertermination of the presentation of the emergency media channel, theemergency alert server 130 can cause the media processor device 106A toautomatically shut off or to automatically tune to a general informationchannel, emergency channel, or a new channel. In another embodiment, theemergency alert server 130 can cause the media processor device 106A toautomatically return to the previous media channel.

FIG. 4 depicts an illustrative embodiment of a first communicationsystem 400 for delivering media content. The communication system 400can represent an Internet Protocol Television (IPTV) media system thatcan be used for delivering media content and emergency alerts in thesystem 100 of FIG. 1. The communication system 400 can be utilized toprovide media content to a media processor device 406 for presentationby a media display device 406 by means of media server 435 and toprovide emergency alert information by means of an emergency alertserver 430. A subscriber management server 440 can provide subscriberpremises locations and subscriber contact information to the emergencyalert server 430. The emergency alert server 430 can further providethis information to an emergency response service server 420, which canbe operated by third-party or government entities. The emergencyresponse service server 420 can use the information for generatingevacuation plans, routings, and groupings. The evacuation planning canbe stored at an evacuation database 422. During non-emergencysituations, the media server 435 can provide media programming topremises devices 406, 408, and mobile communication devices 416. When anemergency notification is received, the emergency alert server 430receives emergency notifications, messages, videos, and/or otherinformation from the emergency response service server 420. Theemergency alert server 430 can deliver emergency information bytransmitting one or more emergency media channels through the accessnetwork 418 and to groups of media processor devices 406 or to mobilecommunication devices 416 capable of receiving streaming media channels.The emergency alert server 130 can further cause media processor devices406 and/or mobile communication devices 416 to tune in the emergencymedia channel(s).

The IPTV media system can include a super head-end office (SHO) 410 withat least one super headend office server (SHS) 411 which receives mediacontent from satellite and/or terrestrial communication systems. In thepresent context, media content can represent, for example, audiocontent, moving image content such as 2D or 3D videos, video games,virtual reality content, still image content, and combinations thereof.The SHS server 411 can forward packets associated with the media contentto one or more video head-end servers (VHS) 414 via a network of videohead-end offices (VHO) 412 according to a multicast communicationprotocol.

The VHS 414 can distribute multimedia broadcast content via an accessnetwork 416 to commercial and/or residential buildings 402 housing agateway 404 (such as a residential or commercial gateway). The accessnetwork 416 can represent a group of digital subscriber line accessmultiplexers (DSLAMs) located in a central office or a service areainterface that provide broadband services over fiber optical links orcopper twisted pairs 419 to buildings 402. The gateway 404 can usecommunication technology to distribute broadcast signals to mediaprocessors 406 such as Set-Top Boxes (STBs) which in turn presentbroadcast channels to media devices 406 such as computers or televisionsets managed in some instances by a media controller 407 (such as aninfrared or RF remote controller).

The gateway 404, the media processors 406, and media devices 406 canutilize tethered communication technologies (such as coaxial, powerlineor phone line wiring) or can operate over a wireless access protocolsuch as Wireless Fidelity (WiFi), Bluetooth, Zigbee, or other present ornext generation local or personal area wireless network technologies. Byway of these interfaces, unicast communications can also be invokedbetween the media processors 406 and subsystems of the IPTV media systemfor services such as video-on-demand (VoD), browsing an electronicprogramming guide (EPG), or other infrastructure services.

A satellite broadcast television system 429 can be used in the mediasystem of FIG. 4. The satellite broadcast television system can beoverlaid, operably coupled with, or replace the IPTV system as anotherrepresentative embodiment of communication system 400. In thisembodiment, signals transmitted by a satellite 415 that include mediacontent can be received by a satellite dish receiver 431 coupled to thebuilding 402. Modulated signals received by the satellite dish receiver431 can be transferred to the media processors 406 for demodulating,decoding, encoding, and/or distributing broadcast channels to the mediadevices 406. The media processors 406 can be equipped with a broadbandport to an Internet Service Provider (ISP) network 432 to enableinteractive services such as VoD and EPG as described above.

In yet another embodiment, an analog or digital cable broadcastdistribution system such as cable TV system 433 can be overlaid,operably coupled with, or replace the IPTV system and/or the satelliteTV system as another representative embodiment of communication system400. In this embodiment, the cable TV system 433 can also provideInternet, telephony, and interactive media services. The subjectdisclosure can apply to other present or next generation over-the-airand/or landline media content services system.

Some of the network elements of the IPTV media system can be coupled toone or more computing devices 430, a portion of which can operate as aweb server for providing web portal services over the ISP network 432 towireline media devices 406 or wireless communication devices 416.

Communication system 400 can also provide for all or a portion of thecomputing devices 430 to function as an emergency alert server 430. Theemergency alert server 430 can use computing and communicationtechnology to perform function 462, which can include among otherthings, providing emergency content to one or more media processordevices 406. The media processors 406 and mobile communication devices416 can be provisioned with software functions 464 and 465,respectively, to utilize the services of emergency alert server 430.

Multiple forms of media services can be offered to media devices overlandline technologies such as those described above. Additionally, mediaservices can be offered to media devices by way of a wireless accessbase station 417 operating according to common wireless access protocolssuch as Global System for Mobile or GSM, Code Division Multiple Accessor CDMA, Time Division Multiple Access or TDMA, Universal MobileTelecommunications or UMTS, World interoperability for Microwave orWiMAX, Software Defined Radio or SDR, Long Term Evolution or LTE, and soon. Other present and next generation wide area wireless access networktechnologies can be used in one or more embodiments of the subjectdisclosure.

FIG. 5 depicts an illustrative embodiment of a communication system 500employing IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) network architecture tofacilitate the combined services of circuit-switched and packet-switchedsystems. The communication system 500 can represent an IMS media systemthat can be used for delivering media content, electronic messages, andemails in the system 200 of FIG. 2. Communication system 500 can beoverlaid or operably coupled with communication system 400 as anotherrepresentative embodiment of communication system 400. The communicationsystem 500 can be utilized to provide media content by a media server530 and bi-directional telecommunication to communication devices (CD)501-5. The communication system 500 can further be used to provideemergency alert information by means of an emergency alert server 530.Subscriber premises locations and subscriber contact information can beprovided to the emergency alert server 530. The emergency alert server530 can further provide this information to an emergency responseservice server 520, which can be operated by third-party or governmententities. The emergency response service server 520 can used theinformation for generating evacuation plans, routings, and groupings.During non-emergency situations, the media server 535 can provide mediaprogramming to CDs 501-505 while the IMS system 550 providestelecommunications. When an emergency notification is received, theemergency alert server 530 can receive emergency notifications,messages, videos, and/or other information from the emergency responseservice server 520. The emergency alert server 530 can deliver emergencyinformation by transmitting one or more emergency messages through theIMS network 550 to CDs 501-505.

Communication system 500 can comprise a Home Subscriber Server (HSS)540, a tElephone NUmber Mapping (ENUM) server 530, and other networkelements of an IMS network 550. The IMS network 550 can establishcommunications between IMS-compliant communication devices (CDs) 501,502, Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) CDs 503, 505, andcombinations thereof by way of a Media Gateway Control Function (MGCF)523 coupled to a PSTN network 560. The MGCF 523 need not be used when acommunication session involves IMS CD to IMS CD communications. Acommunication session involving at least one PSTN CD may utilize theMGCF 523.

IMS CDs 501, 502 can register with the IMS network 550 by contacting aProxy Call Session Control Function (P-CSCF) which communicates with aninterrogating CSCF (I-CSCF), which in turn, communicates with a ServingCSCF (S-CSCF) to register the CDs with the HSS 540. To initiate acommunication session between CDs, an originating IMS CD 501 can submita Session Initiation Protocol (SIP INVITE) message to an originatingP-CSCF 504 which communicates with a corresponding originating S-CSCF506. The originating S-CSCF 506 can submit the SIP INVITE message to oneor more application servers (ASs) 517 that can provide a variety ofservices to IMS subscribers.

For example, the application servers 517 can be used to performoriginating call feature treatment functions on the calling party numberreceived by the originating S-CSCF 506 in the SIP INVITE message.Originating treatment functions can include determining whether thecalling party number has international calling services, call IDblocking, calling name blocking, 5-digit dialing, and/or is requestingspecial telephony features (e.g., *72 forward calls, *73 cancel callforwarding, *67 for caller ID blocking, and so on). Based on initialfilter criteria (iFCs) in a subscriber profile associated with a CD, oneor more application servers may be invoked to provide various calloriginating feature services.

Additionally, the originating S-CSCF 506 can submit queries to the ENUMsystem 530 to translate an E.164 telephone number in the SIP INVITEmessage to a SIP Uniform Resource Identifier (URI) if the terminatingcommunication device is IMS-compliant. The SIP URI can be used by anInterrogating CSCF (I-CSCF) 507 to submit a query to the HSS 540 toidentify a terminating S-CSCF 514 associated with a terminating IMS CDsuch as reference 502. Once identified, the I-CSCF 507 can submit theSIP INVITE message to the terminating S-CSCF 514. The terminating S-CSCF514 can then identify a terminating P-CSCF 516 associated with theterminating CD 502. The P-CSCF 516 may then signal the CD 502 toestablish Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) communication services,thereby enabling the calling and called parties to engage in voiceand/or data communications. Based on the iFCs in the subscriber profile,one or more application servers may be invoked to provide various callterminating feature services, such as call forwarding, do not disturb,music tones, simultaneous ringing, sequential ringing, etc.

In some instances the aforementioned communication process issymmetrical. Accordingly, the terms “originating” and “terminating” inFIG. 5 may be interchangeable. It is further noted that communicationsystem 500 can be adapted to support video conferencing. In addition,communication system 500 can be adapted to provide the IMS CDs 501, 502with the multimedia and Internet services of communication system 600 ofFIG. 6.

If the terminating communication device is instead a PSTN CD such as CD503 or CD 505 (in instances where the cellular phone only supportscircuit-switched voice communications), the ENUM system 530 can respondwith an unsuccessful address resolution which can cause the originatingS-CSCF 506 to forward the call to the MGCF 523 via a Breakout GatewayControl Function (BGCF) 519. The MGCF 523 can then initiate the call tothe terminating PSTN CD over the PSTN network 560 to enable the callingand called parties to engage in voice and/or data communications.

It is further appreciated that the CDs of FIG. 5 can operate as wirelineor wireless devices. For example, the CDs of FIG. 5 can becommunicatively coupled to a cellular base station 521, a femtocell, aWiFi router, a Digital Enhanced Cordless Telecommunications (DECT) baseunit, or another suitable wireless access unit to establishcommunications with the IMS network 550 of FIG. 5. The cellular accessbase station 521 can operate according to common wireless accessprotocols such as GSM, CDMA, TDMA, UMTS, WiMax, SDR, LTE, and so on.Other present and next generation wireless network technologies can beused by one or more embodiments of the subject disclosure. Accordingly,multiple wireline and wireless communication technologies can be used bythe CDs of FIG. 5.

Cellular phones supporting LTE can support packet-switched voice andpacket-switched data communications and thus may operate asIMS-compliant mobile devices. In this embodiment, the cellular basestation 521 may communicate directly with the IMS network 550 as shownby the arrow connecting the cellular base station 521 and the P-CSCF516.

It is further understood that alternative forms of a CSCF can operate ina device, system, component, or other form of centralized or distributedhardware and/or software. Indeed, a respective CSCF may be embodied as arespective CSCF system having one or more computers or servers, eithercentralized or distributed, where each computer or server may beconfigured to perform or provide, in whole or in part, any method, step,or functionality described herein in accordance with a respective CSCF.Likewise, other functions, servers and computers described herein,including but not limited to, the HSS, the ENUM server, the BGCF, andthe MGCF, can be embodied in a respective system having one or morecomputers or servers, either centralized or distributed, where eachcomputer or server may be configured to perform or provide, in whole orin part, any method, step, or functionality described herein inaccordance with a respective function, server, or computer.

Emergency alert server 530 can perform function 570 and thereby providemedia services to the CDs 501, 502, 503 and 505 of FIG. 5. CDs 501, 502,503 and 505, which can be adapted with software 572 to perform function574 to utilize the services of the emergency alert server 530. Theemergency alert server 530 can be an integral part of the applicationserver(s) 517 performing function 570, which can be substantiallysimilar to function 462 and adapted to the operations of the IMS network550.

For illustration purposes only, the terms S-CSCF, P-CSCF, I-CSCF, and soon, can be server devices, but may be referred to in the subjectdisclosure without the word “server.” It is also understood that anyform of a CSCF server can operate in a device, system, component, orother form of centralized or distributed hardware and software. It isfurther noted that these terms and other terms such as DIAMETER commandsare terms can include features, methodologies, and/or fields that may bedescribed in whole or in part by standards bodies such as ThirdGeneration Partnership Project (3GPP). It is further noted that some orall embodiments of the subject disclosure may in whole or in partmodify, supplement, or otherwise supersede final or proposed standardspublished and promulgated by 3GPP.

FIG. 6 depicts an illustrative embodiment of a web portal 602 which canbe hosted by server applications operating from the computing devices430 of the communication system 400 illustrated in FIG. 4. Thecommunication system 400 can be utilized to provide emergency alertinformation to a media processor device 406 for presentation by a mediadisplay device 408. The web portal system 600 can be used to registerand maintain subscriber location and contact information and toconfigure alerts.

The web portal 602 can be used for managing services of communicationsystems 400-500. A web page of the web portal 602 can be accessed by aUniform Resource Locator (URL) with an Internet browser such asMicrosoft's Internet Explorer™, Mozilla's Firefox™, Apple's Safari™, orGoogle's Chrome™ using an Internet-capable communication device such asthose described in FIGS. 1-2. The web portal 602 can be configured, forexample, to access a media processor 106A and services managed therebysuch as a Digital Video Recorder (DVR), a Video on Demand (VoD) catalog,an Electronic Programming Guide (EPG), or a personal catalog (such aspersonal videos, pictures, audio recordings, etc.) stored at the mediaprocessor 106A. The web portal 602 can also be used for provisioning IMSservices described earlier, provisioning Internet services, provisioningcellular phone services, and so on.

The web portal 602 can further be utilized to manage and provisionsoftware applications 462-465, and 570-574 to adapt these applicationsas may be desired by subscribers and service providers of communicationsystems 400-500.

FIG. 7 depicts an illustrative embodiment of a communication device 700.Communication device 700 can serve in whole or in part as anillustrative embodiment of the devices depicted or otherwise describedin FIGS. 1-6. The communication device 700 can be utilized to receiveemergency alert notifications, messages, and/or video streams fordisplay at a media display device 406, media display device 408, and/ora mobile communication device 416. The communication device 700.

The communication device 700 can perform an operation associated withthe presentation of the emergency alert information at a displayaccording to the first action of the first viewer. The communicationdevice 700 can comprise a wireline and/or wireless transceiver 702(herein transceiver 702), a user interface (UI) 704, a power supply 714,a location receiver 716, a motion sensor 716, an orientation sensor 720,and a controller 706 for managing operations thereof. The transceiver702 can support short-range or long-range wireless access technologiessuch as Bluetooth, ZigBee, WiFi, DECT, or cellular communicationtechnologies, just to mention a few. Cellular technologies can include,for example, CDMA-1X, UMTS/HSDPA, GSM/GPRS, TDMA/EDGE, EV/DO, WiMAX,SDR, LTE, as well as other next generation wireless communicationtechnologies as they arise. The transceiver 702 can also be adapted tosupport circuit-switched wireline access technologies (such as PSTN),packet-switched wireline access technologies (such as TCP/IP, VoIP,etc.), and combinations thereof.

The UI 704 can include a depressible or touch-sensitive keypad 706 witha navigation mechanism such as a roller ball, a joystick, a mouse, or anavigation disk for manipulating operations of the communication device700. The keypad 706 can be an integral part of a housing assembly of thecommunication device 700 or an independent device operably coupledthereto by a tethered wireline interface (such as a USB cable) or awireless interface supporting for example Bluetooth. The keypad 706 canrepresent a numeric keypad commonly used by phones, and/or a QWERTYkeypad with alphanumeric keys. The UI 704 can further include a display710 such as monochrome or color LCD (Liquid Crystal Display), OLED(Organic Light Emitting Diode) or other suitable display technology forconveying images to an end user of the communication device 700. In anembodiment where the display 710 is touch-sensitive, a portion or all ofthe keypad 706 can be presented by way of the display 710 withnavigation features.

The display 710 can use touch screen technology to also serve as a userinterface for detecting user input. As a touch screen display, thecommunication device 700 can be adapted to present a user interface withgraphical user interface (GUI) elements that can be selected by a userwith a touch of a finger. The touch screen display 710 can be equippedwith capacitive, resistive or other forms of sensing technology todetect how much surface area of a user's finger has been placed on aportion of the touch screen display. This sensing information can beused to control the manipulation of the GUI elements or other functionsof the user interface. The display 710 can be an integral part of thehousing assembly of the communication device 700 or an independentdevice communicatively coupled thereto by a tethered wireline interface(such as a cable) or a wireless interface.

The UI 704 can also include an audio system 712 that utilizes audiotechnology for conveying low volume audio (such as audio heard inproximity of a human ear) and high volume audio (such as speakerphonefor hands free operation). The audio system 712 can further include amicrophone for receiving audible signals of an end user. The audiosystem 712 can also be used for voice recognition applications. The UI704 can further include an image sensor 713 such as a charged coupleddevice (CCD) camera for capturing still or moving images.

The power supply 714 can utilize common power management technologiessuch as replaceable and rechargeable batteries, supply regulationtechnologies, and/or charging system technologies for supplying energyto the components of the communication device 700 to facilitatelong-range or short-range portable applications. Alternatively, or incombination, the charging system can utilize external power sources suchas DC power supplied over a physical interface such as a USB port orother suitable tethering technologies.

The location receiver 716 can utilize location technology such as aglobal positioning system (GPS) receiver capable of assisted GPS foridentifying a location of the communication device 700 based on signalsgenerated by a constellation of GPS satellites, which can be used forfacilitating location services such as navigation. The motion sensor 716can utilize motion sensing technology such as an accelerometer, agyroscope, or other suitable motion sensing technology to detect motionof the communication device 700 in three-dimensional space. Theorientation sensor 720 can utilize orientation sensing technology suchas a magnetometer to detect the orientation of the communication device700 (north, south, west, and east, as well as combined orientations indegrees, minutes, or other suitable orientation metrics).

The communication device 700 can use the transceiver 702 to alsodetermine a proximity to a cellular, WiFi, Bluetooth, or other wirelessaccess points by sensing techniques such as utilizing a received signalstrength indicator (RSSI) and/or signal time of arrival (TOA) or time offlight (TOF) measurements. The controller 706 can utilize computingtechnologies such as a microprocessor, a digital signal processor (DSP),programmable gate arrays, application specific integrated circuits,and/or a video processor with associated storage memory such as Flash,ROM, RAM, SRAM, DRAM or other storage technologies for executingcomputer instructions, controlling, and processing data supplied by theaforementioned components of the communication device 400.

Other components not shown in FIG. 7 can be used in one or moreembodiments of the subject disclosure. For instance, the communicationdevice 700 can include a reset button (not shown). The reset button canbe used to reset the controller 706 of the communication device 700. Inyet another embodiment, the communication device 700 can also include afactory default setting button positioned, for example, below a smallhole in a housing assembly of the communication device 700 to force thecommunication device 700 to re-establish factory settings. In thisembodiment, a user can use a protruding object such as a pen or paperclip tip to reach into the hole and depress the default setting button.The communication device 400 can also include a slot for adding orremoving an identity module such as a Subscriber Identity Module (SIM)card. SIM cards can be used for identifying subscriber services,executing programs, storing subscriber data, and so forth.

The communication device 700 as described herein can operate with moreor less of the circuit components shown in FIG. 7. These variantembodiments can be used in one or more embodiments of the subjectdisclosure.

The communication device 700 can be adapted to perform the functions ofthe media processor device 406, the media display device 408, and/or themobile communication devices 416 of FIG. 4, as well as the IMS CDs501-502 and PSTN CDs 503-505 of FIG. 5. It will be appreciated that thecommunication device 700 can also represent other devices that canoperate in communication systems 400-500 of FIGS. 4-5 such as a gamingconsole and a media player.

The communication device 700 shown in FIG. 7 or portions thereof canserve as a representation of one or more of the devices of communicationsystems 600-700. In addition, the controller 706 can be adapted invarious embodiments to perform the functions 462-465 and 570-574,respectively.

It should be understood that devices described in the exemplaryembodiments can be in communication with each other via various wirelessand/or wired methodologies. The methodologies can be links that aredescribed as coupled, connected and so forth, which can includeunidirectional and/or bidirectional communication over wireless pathsand/or wired paths that utilize one or more of various protocols ormethodologies, where the coupling and/or connection can be direct (e.g.,no intervening processing device) and/or indirect (e.g., an intermediaryprocessing device such as a router).

FIG. 8 depicts an exemplary diagrammatic representation of a machine inthe form of a computer system 800 within which a set of instructions,when executed, may cause the machine to perform any one or more of themethods describe above. For example, the media processor device 406, themedia server device 130, the media display device 408, and/or thegateway device 404, and/or the mobile communication device 416 cancomprise a machine in the form of a computer system 800. In someembodiments, the machine may be connected (e.g., using a network 826) toother machines. In a networked deployment, the machine may operate inthe capacity of a server or a client user machine in server-client usernetwork environment, or as a peer machine in a peer-to-peer (ordistributed) network environment.

The machine may comprise a server computer, a client user computer, apersonal computer (PC), a tablet PC, a smart phone, a laptop computer, adesktop computer, a control system, a network router, switch or bridge,or any machine capable of executing a set of instructions (sequential orotherwise) that specify actions to be taken by that machine. It will beunderstood that a communication device of the subject disclosureincludes broadly any electronic device that provides voice, video ordata communication. Further, while a single machine is illustrated, theterm “machine” shall also be taken to include any collection of machinesthat individually or jointly execute a set (or multiple sets) ofinstructions to perform any one or more of the methods discussed herein.

The computer system 800 may include a processor (or controller) 802(e.g., a central processing unit (CPU), a graphics processing unit (GPU,or both), a main memory 804 and a static memory 806, which communicatewith each other via a bus 806. The computer system 800 may furtherinclude a display unit 810 (e.g., a liquid crystal display (LCD), a flatpanel, or a solid state display. The computer system 800 may include aninput device 812 (e.g., a keyboard), a cursor control device 814 (e.g.,a mouse), a disk drive unit 816, a signal generation device 816 (e.g., aspeaker or remote control) and a network interface device 820. Indistributed environments, the embodiments described in the subjectdisclosure can be adapted to utilize multiple display units 810controlled by two or more computer systems 800. In this configuration,presentations described by the subject disclosure may in part be shownin a first of the display units 810, while the remaining portion ispresented in a second of the display units 810.

The disk drive unit 816 may include a tangible computer-readable storagemedium 822 on which is stored one or more sets of instructions (e.g.,software 824) embodying any one or more of the methods or functionsdescribed herein, including those methods illustrated above. Theinstructions 824 may also reside, completely or at least partially,within the main memory 804, the static memory 806, and/or within theprocessor 802 during execution thereof by the computer system 800. Themain memory 804 and the processor 802 also may constitute tangiblecomputer-readable storage media.

Dedicated hardware implementations including, but not limited to,application specific integrated circuits, programmable logic arrays andother hardware devices that can likewise be constructed to implement themethods described herein. Application specific integrated circuits andprogrammable logic array can use downloadable instructions for executingstate machines and/or circuit configurations to implement embodiments ofthe subject disclosure. Applications that may include the apparatus andsystems of various embodiments broadly include a variety of electronicand computer systems. Some embodiments implement functions in two ormore specific interconnected hardware modules or devices with relatedcontrol and data signals communicated between and through the modules,or as portions of an application-specific integrated circuit. Thus, theexample system is applicable to software, firmware, and hardwareimplementations.

In accordance with various embodiments of the subject disclosure, theoperations or methods described herein are intended for operation assoftware programs or instructions running on or executed by a computerprocessor or other computing device, and which may include other formsof instructions manifested as a state machine implemented with logiccomponents in an application specific integrated circuit or fieldprogrammable array. Furthermore, software implementations (e.g.,software programs, instructions, etc.) can include, but not limited to,distributed processing or component/object distributed processing,parallel processing, or virtual machine processing can also beconstructed to implement the methods described herein. It is furthernoted that a computing device such as a processor, a controller, a statemachine or other suitable device for executing instructions to performoperations or methods may perform such operations directly or indirectlyby way of one or more intermediate devices directed by the computingdevice.

While the tangible computer-readable storage medium 822 is shown in anexample embodiment to be a single medium, the term “tangiblecomputer-readable storage medium” should be taken to include a singlemedium or multiple media (e.g., a centralized or distributed database,and/or associated caches and servers) that store the one or more sets ofinstructions. The term “tangible computer-readable storage medium” shallalso be taken to include any non-transitory medium that is capable ofstoring or encoding a set of instructions for execution by the machineand that cause the machine to perform any one or more of the methods ofthe subject disclosure.

The term “tangible computer-readable storage medium” shall accordinglybe taken to include, but not be limited to: solid-state memories such asa memory card or other package that houses one or more read-only(non-volatile) memories, random access memories, or other re-writable(volatile) memories, a magneto-optical or optical medium such as a diskor tape, or other tangible media which can be used to store information.Accordingly, the disclosure is considered to include any one or more ofa tangible computer-readable storage medium, as listed herein andincluding art-recognized equivalents and successor media, in which thesoftware implementations herein are stored.

Although the present specification describes components and functionsimplemented in the embodiments with reference to particular standardsand protocols, the disclosure is not limited to such standards andprotocols. Each of the standards for Internet and other packet switchednetwork transmission (e.g., TCP/IP, UDP/IP, HTML, HTTP) representexamples of the state of the art. Such standards are from time-to-timesuperseded by faster or more efficient equivalents having essentiallythe same functions. Wireless standards for device detection (e.g.,RFID), short-range communications (e.g., Bluetooth, WiFi, Zigbee), andlong-range communications (e.g., WiMAX, GSM, CDMA, LTE) can be used bycomputer system 800.

The illustrations of embodiments described herein are intended toprovide a general understanding of the structure of various embodiments,and they are not intended to serve as a complete description of all theelements and features of apparatus and systems that might make use ofthe structures described herein. Many other embodiments will be apparentto those of skill in the art upon reviewing the above description. Otherembodiments may be utilized and derived therefrom, such that structuraland logical substitutions and changes may be made without departing fromthe scope of this disclosure. Figures are also merely representationaland may not be drawn to scale. Certain proportions thereof may beexaggerated, while others may be minimized Accordingly, thespecification and drawings are to be regarded in an illustrative ratherthan a restrictive sense.

Although specific embodiments have been illustrated and describedherein, it should be appreciated that any arrangement calculated toachieve the same purpose may be substituted for the specific embodimentsshown. This disclosure is intended to cover any and all adaptations orvariations of various embodiments. Combinations of the aboveembodiments, and other embodiments not specifically described herein,can be used in the subject disclosure, including combinations ofcomponents and/or steps from the embodiments and/or methods describedherein.

The Abstract of the Disclosure is provided with the understanding thatit will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of theclaims. In addition, in the foregoing Detailed Description, it can beseen that various features are grouped together in a single embodimentfor the purpose of streamlining the disclosure. This method ofdisclosure is not to be interpreted as reflecting an intention that theclaimed embodiments require more features than are expressly recited ineach claim. Rather, as the following claims reflect, inventive subjectmatter lies in less than all features of a single disclosed embodiment.Thus the following claims are hereby incorporated into the DetailedDescription, with each claim standing on its own as a separately claimedsubject matter.

1. A device, comprising: a memory that stores executable instructions;and a processor coupled to the memory, wherein the processor, responsiveto executing the instructions, facilitates performance of operationscomprising: receiving first location information for a first mediaprocessor device; transmitting the first location information to anemergency response service to generate first evacuation routinginformation based on the first location information; receiving anotification of an emergency event from the emergency response service,wherein the notification comprises the first evacuation routinginformation; creating a multicast group in response to receiving thenotification of the emergency event, wherein members of the multicastgroup comprise the first media processor device; transmitting via afirst emergency media channel a multicast of a first video stream to themembers of the multicast group, wherein the first video stream comprisesthe first evacuation routing information responsive to receiving thenotification; instructing the first media processor device to select thefirst emergency media channel while disabling selection of other mediachannels, wherein the first media processor device presents content fromthe first emergency media channel at a display device; receiving anacknowledging indicator from the first media processor device; andinstructing the first media processor device to enable selection of theother media channels responsive to receiving the acknowledgingindicator.
 2. The device of claim 1, wherein the first evacuationrouting information is associated with a first evacuation groupcomprising a plurality of media processor devices each assigned thefirst evacuation routing information, and wherein the operations furthercomprise instructing each media processor in the first evacuation groupto select the emergency media channel responsive to determining that thefirst evacuation group is within a geographic region.
 3. The device ofclaim 1, wherein the first evacuation routing information comprises anevacuation location.
 4. The device of claim 1, wherein the firstevacuation routing information comprises a route to an evacuationlocation.
 5. The device of claim 1, wherein the operations furthercomprise: receiving authorization information from the emergencyresponse service; and verifying the authorization information, whereinthe transmitting of the first location information to the emergencyresponse service is responsive to verifying the authorizationinformation.
 6. The device of claim 1, wherein the operations furthercomprise transmitting via a second emergency media channel a secondvideo stream comprising second evacuation routing information responsiveto receiving a second notification of the emergency event from theemergency response service.
 7. The device of claim 1, wherein theoperations further comprise: receiving contact information associatedwith a mobile communication device of a subscriber associated with thefirst media processor device; transmitting the contact information tothe emergency response service; and transmitting a first electronicnotification of the emergency event to the mobile communication deviceresponsive to receiving the notification of the emergency event.
 8. Thedevice of claim 7, wherein the first electronic notification compriseselectronically formatted text.
 9. The device of claim 7, wherein theoperations further comprise: receiving second location information forthe mobile communication device; transmitting the second locationinformation to the emergency response service for determining whetherthe first evacuation routing information applies to the mobilecommunication device, wherein the first electronic notificationcomprises the first evacuation routing information responsive todetermining that the mobile communication device participates in thefirst evacuation routing.
 10. The device of claim 9, wherein the secondlocation information for the mobile communication device is determinedusing a global positioning system.
 11. The device of claim 1, whereinthe operations further comprise receiving a first identificationassociated with the first media processor device, wherein transmittingvia the first emergency media channel comprises transmitting the firstvideo stream according to the first identification.
 12. The device ofclaim 1, wherein the operations comprise receiving the first videostream from an emergency response service for transmission via the firstemergency media channel.
 13. The device of claim 1, wherein theoperations further comprise: determining a first geographic regionaffected by the emergency event according to first evacuationinformation; and determining that the first media processor device iswithin the first geographic region, wherein instructing the first mediaprocessor device to select the first emergency channel is responsive todetermining that the first media processor device is within the firstgeographic region.
 14. A non-transitory machine-readable storage medium,comprising executable instructions, that, when executed by a processor,facilitate performance of operations, comprising: creating a multicastgroup based on locations of a plurality of media processor devices ofmembers of the multicast group in proximity to an area associated withan emergency situation; receiving a selection of a first media channelof a communication network of a service provider; presenting mediacontent that is received from the first media channel at a displaydevice in communication with a media processor device of the pluralityof media processor devices, wherein the media content is received by wayof a multicast presentation to members of the multicast group; switchingto a first emergency media channel comprising a first video stream offirst evacuation routing information responsive to a command receivedfrom an emergency alert service; and presenting the first evacuationrouting information at the display device.
 15. The non-transitorymachine-readable storage medium of claim 14, wherein the operationsfurther comprise: disabling channel switching responsive to the commandreceived from the emergency alert service; receiving an acknowledgementof the first evacuation routing information; and re-enabling channelswitching responsive to receiving the acknowledgement.
 16. Thenon-transitory machine-readable storage medium of claim 14, wherein thefirst evacuation routing information is associated with a firstevacuation group comprising a plurality of media processor devices eachassigned the first evacuation routing information.
 17. A method,comprising: receiving, by a system comprising a processor, anotification of an emergency event; receiving, by the system, locationinformation for a plurality of media processor device; determining, bythe system, target media processor devices of the plurality of mediaprocessor devices based on the location information; creating, by thesystem, a multicast group in response to receiving the notification ofthe emergency event, wherein members of the multicast group comprisetarget media processor devices of the plurality of media processordevices; transmitting, by the system, via a first emergency mediachannel, a multicast of a first video stream to the members of themulticast group, wherein the first video stream comprises firstevacuation routing information for a first evacuation group responsiveto receiving a notification of an emergency event; instructing, by thesystem, a first media processor device to select the first emergencymedia channel while disabling selection of other media channels based onthe first evacuation routing information, wherein content of theemergency media channel is presented at a display device by way of thefirst media processor device; and enabling, by the system, the firstmedia processor device to select other media channels responsive toreceiving an acknowledgment of presentation of the emergency mediachannel.
 18. The method of claim 17, comprising transmitting, by thesystem, an electronic notification of the emergency event to a mobilecommunication device of a subscriber associated with the first mediaprocessor device.
 19. The method of claim 17, comprising: receiving, bythe system, first location information of the first media processordevice; and transmitting, by the system, the first location informationto an emergency response service for generating the first evacuationrouting information based on the first location information.
 20. Themethod of claim 17, comprising: receiving, by the system, contactinformation associated with a mobile communication device of asubscriber associated with the first media processor device;transmitting, by the system, the contact information to an emergencyresponse service; and transmitting, by the system, a first electronicnotification of the emergency event to the mobile communication deviceresponsive to receiving the notification of the emergency event.